Factors influencing performance of non formal education learners in tailoring dressmaking course in Kisumu district.

Abstract

The inspiration to' conduct this study was derived from a Ph.D. thesis of Dr. Gathenya based in the Ministry of Education, Science and technology (MOEST) headquarters who conducted a research ·on the street children of Nairobi in 2003. She pointed out that short term packages of education designed for out of school (OOS) learners do at times fill the .vacuum by offering short term course to the youth out of school. . At the same time, the researcher personally witnessed the· 'vast army' of unemployed youth at Kisumu bus terminus Who engaged-in hawking and the bicycle business (ngware) trying to eke a living out of near impossible situation. The purpose of the study was to establish factors influencing performance. in vocational training in tailoring and .dressmaking course. The study aimed at determining whether. .certain variables had any significant effect on performance. From the research finding lack of reference books and financial support to the .learners emerged as the most crucial factors affecting performance negatively or positively. To achieve- the objectives of the study, questionnaires were administered in Kisumu District which was the study area. Total of 10 training centres were visited, these included .all the- youth polytechnics located in the four divisions that constitute Kisumu district. .Twenty-three instructors responded to the questionnaire designed for instructors and 107 responded to the learners questionnaire. The -study stands a high chance of replication in any part of Kenya.